Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

Methods and exercise apparatuses for assisting in squats, upper body exercises, and toe raises are disclosed. The exercise apparatus includes a support and a resistance member. The support includes a top surface that is angled relative to a horizontal plane. The user pulls on and tensions the resistance member by hand for balance and support during a squats or toe raises. The user can pull on and tension the resistance member by hand for upper body exercises as well.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/741,830, filed on Jul. 30, 2012,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention generally relates to an exercise apparatus forperforming squats, upper body exercises, and toe raises and relatedmethods.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A squat is an exercise technique that trains various muscles of thebody, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, gluteusmaximus, soleus, tibialis anterior, erector spinae, and the rectusabdominus. In addition to strengthening and toning the aforesaidmuscles, squats can help to increase balance, bone density, flexibility,and improve posture. A squat begins with the body in a standingposition, then the torso is lowered by moving the hips back and bendingthe knees, hips, and ankles. Finally, the torso is raised back to itsstanding position.

A toe raise is an exercise technique that trains the calf muscles,including the gastrocnemius and the soleus. A toe raise begins with thebody in a standing position. The body is then raised up on the toes ashigh as possible. This position is held momentarily, and then the bodyis lowered to the starting position. Toes raises can be performed withboth legs at the same time, or one leg at a time.

Upper body exercises train the muscles of the upper body, including, butnot limited to, the trapezius, biceps, triceps, deltoids, latissimusdorsi, pectorals, and abdominals. Examples of upper body exercisesinclude, but are not limited to: a bicep curl, clean and jerk, tricepsextension, triceps kickbacks, triceps curl, and a lateral raise.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect, an exercise apparatus is disclosed. Theexercise apparatus includes a support with an inclined top surface. Theinclined top surface has a top edge and a bottom edge. The exerciseapparatus also includes at least one resistance member with a hand grip.The support is constructed and arranged to restrain a portion of theresistance member.

According to another aspect, an exercise apparatus is disclosed, theexercise apparatus consisting essentially of: a support having aninclined top surface and a resistance member with two hand grips. Thesupport is constructed and arranged to restrain a portion of theresistance member.

According to another aspect, a method of exercising is disclosed. Themethod includes providing a support on a horizontal plane. The supporthas a top surface that forms an angle with respect to the horizontalplane, and the top surface has a bottom edge and a top edge. The methodalso includes placing at least one foot upon the top surface such thatthe heel of the foot points in an upward direction. The method alsoincludes grasping the hand grip of a resistance member by hand. Finally,the method includes moving to a squat position from an upright position,then returning to an upright position, while the foot remains on thesupport.

According to another aspect, a method of exercising is disclosed. Themethod includes providing a support on a horizontal plane. The supporthas a top surface that forms an angle with respect to the horizontalplane, and the top surface has a bottom edge and a top edge. The methodalso includes placing at least one foot upon the support such that thetoes of the foot point upwardly. The method also includes holding ontothe hand grip of a resistance member by hand. The method also includesraising the heel of the foot. Finally, the method includes holding ontothe hand grip of the resistance member by hand while raising the heel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view that depicts an exercise apparatus inaccordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view that depicts an exercise apparatus inaccordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view that depicts a method of using an exerciseapparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view that depicts a method of using an exerciseapparatus in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view that depicts a method of using an exerciseapparatus of n accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with oneaspect of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exercise apparatus in accordance withanother aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has recognized that in a proper squat, the knees should notextend beyond the toes. The knees should remain centered over the feetduring any downward movement, and the knees should not roll inwardly oroutwardly. In addition, the back is maintained in a neutral position.The curve of the back should not flatten, and the back should not arch.During a conventional squat, the arms may be stretched outwardly forbalance.

While squats are a commonly performed exercise, proper squatting form isoften difficult to achieve. The inventor has recognized that, when aperson squats while standing on a horizontal plane, the body's center ofgravity tends to shift backwardly. The inventor has found that peoplehave a natural tendency to lean forwardly to compensate for the backwardshift in the center of gravity, resulting in increased weight and stresson the lower back and on the knees, which can lead to injury. Thus, theinventor has recognized that a need exists for an exercise apparatusthat helps a user to maintain proper balance and form during a squat.The inventor has discovered that positioning the person's center ofgravity in a forward position throughout the squat may help to suppressthe tendency to lean forward during a squat, making it easier tomaintain proper form.

According to one aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus includesa support with an inclined surface, and a handheld resistance member. Inone embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, an exercise apparatus 1 isplaced on a horizontal plane 100. Exercise apparatus 1 includes asupport 10 and at least one resistance member 30. As shown in FIGS. 1A,1B, and 4, the support 10 may include a top surface 12, a bottom surface13, a first end 15, and a second end 17. The top surface 12 includes abottom edge 14 a top edge 41. The vertical distance between thehorizontal plane 100 and the bottom edge 14 is less than the verticaldistance between the horizontal plane 100 and the top edge 41.

The top surface 12 forms an incline angle θ relative to the horizontalplane 100. In some embodiments, where bottom surface 13 is parallel tothe horizontal plane 100, top surface 12 may also form an incline angleθ relative to bottom surface 13. However, in some embodiments, the topsurface may be inclined relative to the horizontal plane but notinclined relative to the bottom surface. In some embodiments, thesupport has no bottom surface or has a bottom surface with a surfacearea that is much smaller than that of the top surface. For example, inone embodiment, the top surface may be inclined using one or morepedestals or legs. In another embodiment, the support may be a singleboard such as a plank that can be leaned against a raised surface, suchas a curb or a step.

The top surface may be planar or curved. The top surface may be partlyplanar and partly curved. For example, the majority of the top surfacemay be planar, but one or more ends of the top surface may be curved. Inone embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the top surface 12 is planar nearthe top edge 41, but curved near the bottom edge 14. In someembodiments, the top edge 41 may be beveled or otherwise have a flatedge. A flat top edge 41 may help to promote stability or otherwiseincrease comfort of the user. In other embodiments, however, top edge 41is a non-beveled corner, as this aspect is not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the incline angle θ may be within the range of 22to 25 degrees, inclusive. In other embodiments, the incline angle may bewithin the range of 21.5 to 25 degrees, inclusive. In other embodiments,the incline angle may be within the range of 18-25 degrees, inclusive.In some embodiments, the incline angle may be 22, 23, 24, or 25 degrees.In another embodiment, the incline angle is 22.5 degrees. In oneembodiment, the support includes a mechanism to adjust the inclineangle. In other embodiments, the incline angle is not adjustable. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4, the support 10 mayinclude a rear surface 19. Rear surface 19 is connected to the top edge41, and may be connected to a bottom surface 13. Rear surface 19 mayform an angle 0 relative to the horizontal plane 100. In someembodiments, where bottom surface 13 is parallel to the horizontal plane100, rear surface 19 may also form an angle θ relative to bottom surface13. In some embodiments, angle θ may be less than 90 degrees. Having anangle θ less than 90 degrees may help promote stability of support 10 bypreventing the support from rocking backwards over the rear surface 19.In some embodiments, angle θ may be 62 to 72 degrees. In someembodiments, angle θ may be 60 to 75 degrees. In some embodiments, angleθ may be 67 degrees. In some embodiments, however, angle θ may be 90degrees or any other suitable angle, as this aspect is not limited inthis regard.

The at least one resistance member 30 includes at least one hand grip38, and typically a second hand grip 39, one on each end of theresistance member 30, that can be grasped by a hand. Some examples ofresistance members include resistance bands, exercise bands, elasticbands, or any other suitable member that provides a predetermined levelof elasticity corresponding to the amount of pulling force needed tostretch the resistance member a desired distance. Resistance members 30may be made from rubber, latex, or any elastic, or rubber like materialhaving a predetermined level of elasticity corresponding to the amountof pulling force needed to stretch the resistance member 30 the desireddistance. The resistance member 30 may have an elasticity resistance of3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 30, or 60 pounds, an elasticity resistance of 3 to100 pounds, 3 to 60 pounds, 5 to 60 pounds, or any other suitableelasticity resistance. In some embodiments, the resistance member 30 maycontain a non-elastic inner cord that limits the length that theresistance member 30 may be stretched or any other suitable feature thatprevents snapping of the resistance member 30. Pulling on the handgrip(s) 38 and 39 by hand while restraining a portion of the resistancemember 30 causes the resistance member 30 to stretch. Depending on theelasticity resistance of the resistance member, a certain level ofpulling force is required to stretch the resistance member a certaindistance.

At least one portion of the resistance member 30 is restrained. In someembodiments, the resistance member is anchored to the support 10 orotherwise restrained by the support. In some embodiments, the support 10may include an anchoring mechanism that permits the resistance member tobe anchored directly to the support. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 1A, the anchoring mechanism includes a pair of openings 16 and 18in respective ends 15 and 17 and a channel 33 through which a portion ofthe resistance member 30 extends. The channel 33 has a cross-sectionalshape that may be a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, atriangle, a keyhole, any polygon, or any suitable shape, as this aspectis not limited in this regard. Alternatively, in some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 1B, the member 30 may extend through an empty space 11beneath the surface 12. This space may be a cylinder, a half cylinder, arectangular prism, a triangular prism, a hexagonal prism, a recess, agroove, or any other suitable shape and size.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, resistance member 30 isanchored by the support 10 without being attached to the support 10. Asshown in FIG. 2, when a user stands on support 10 and pulls on handgrips 38, 39, the portion of the resistance member 30 that is withinchannel 33 or is under surface 12, moves very little in the direction offorce applied by the user, assuming the user applies an approximatelyequal force on both hand grips 38 and 39.

In some embodiments, the openings 16, 18 through which the resistancemember 30 passes may be beveled, chamfered, or otherwise have roundededges to decrease wear on the resistance member 30 when the resistancemember is tensioned.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to thearrangements shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. In other embodiments, the resistancemember 30 may be attached to the support 10. For example, one end of theresistance member may be attached to the support 10, while the hand gripis on the other end of the resistance member. In other embodiments, tworesistance members may be used, with one resistance member beingattached to the first end 15 of the support, and the other resistancemember being attached to the second end 17 of the support. Resistancemembers may be attached to the support 10 via various known anchoringmechanisms such as an interference fit between the resistance member anda hole or opening in the support 10, a known fastener, adhesive, a hookand loop type fastener, a knot in one end of the resistance memberadjacent opening 16 or 18, a rod or loop connected to the support, or aknot formed over any other known attachment. In other embodiments, theresistance member may be anchored to a stationary object other than thesupport, such as a closed door or a pole.

Any suitable number of resistance members may be used in the exerciseapparatus. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, a singleresistance member 30 may be used. In other embodiments, more than oneresistance member may be used at a time. For example, a second or thirdresistance member may be added to the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1A-1B,such that two or more resistance members pass through channel 33 orempty space 11. In one embodiment, the second resistance member may haveits own hand grips on each end such that the user holds two hand gripsin each hand in order to stretch both resistance members at a time.

In another embodiment, hand grips 38, 39 may be configured to acceptmore than one resistance member at a time. For example, hand grips 38and 39 may have multiple slots or holes, where each slot or holeattaches to a resistance member 30. Two or more resistance members 30may attach to such a hand grip at a time. In addition, the hand grip maybe arranged such that resistance members can be easily attached to orremoved from the hand grip such that the resistance members areinterchangeable.

The exercise apparatus 1 may be configured to allow interchangeabilityof the resistance members 30. As a result, a user can change the totalamount of resistance by adding or removing resistance members 30. Forexample, if the user wishes to exercise with a total resistance of 20pounds, the user can use two 10 pound resistance members, with each handholding both resistance members. As another example, if a single 30pound resistance member is anchored by or to the support 10 and a userwishes to use less resistance, the user can remove the 30 poundresistance member and replace it with a 10 pound resistance member. Inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the openings 16, 18 may includerespective insertion slots 46, 48 through which the resistance member 30can be inserted to position the resistance member inside the openings16, 18. The slots may be sized such that the resistance member must besqueezed or otherwise elastically deformed to fit through the slots. Inthis manner, an application of force may be required to pull theresistance member 30 out of the openings 16, 18 through the slots 46,48, thereby ensuring that the resistance member 30 remains within theopenings 16, 18 during use.

The exercise apparatus 1 can be used for squats, upper body exercises,and toe raises. A user first places the exercise apparatus on ahorizontal plane. In some embodiments, the user may wear shoes whileusing the exercise apparatus. In other embodiments, the user can use theexercise apparatus without wearing shoes. For squats, as shown in FIG.2, a user stands on the surface 12 of the support 10 such that the heelsare pointed in an upward direction, typically, although not necessarily,extending beyond the top edge of surface 12. In some embodiments, theuser stands with feet hip-width or shoulder-width apart and the toesslightly pointed outwardly. In some embodiments, the toes are pointedstraight ahead. In this forward slanted position, the center of gravityof the user is brought slightly forward, so that when the user squatsdownwardly, the user's center of gravity does not shift as far back asit would otherwise without the apparatus, and thus the user does notfeel the need to lean in a forward direction. By standing on the support10 in this manner, the weight of the user may be concentrated on theheel section of the foot, which may put more tension on the hamstringsand quadriceps during the squat, thereby increasing the muscle-trainingeffectiveness of the squat. As is also shown in FIG. 2, the resistancemember 30 helps stabilize and support the user during the squat. As theuser descends downwardly during the squat, the user pulls on the handles38, 39, placing the resistance member 30 in tension. The tension in theresistance member allows the user to maintain good form and posture, andmay also help to concentrate forces on the user's heels, giving rise toincreased heel push and increased tension on the hamstrings andquadriceps. The tension in the resistance member may help to keep theuser's knees from extending beyond the user's toes. In one embodiment,as the user ascends back to the upright position, the user pulls theresistance member 30 upward. In some embodiments, the user returns tothe upright position with the arms fully extended.

In some embodiments, the user's palms may rotate while holding onto andtensioning the resistance member 30 during the squat. In one embodiment,prior to starting the squat, while holding the resistance member, theuser's palms face toward the body. As the user descends downwardlyduring the squat, the user's wrists supinate so that the palms rotateoutwardly away from the body as the user pulls and tensions theresistance member. In other embodiments, the user's wrists may pronateor may not rotate at all during the squat. In some embodiments, theuser's palms may not rotate at all, or they may rotate towards the bodyduring the squat. For example, in one embodiment, the user may perform abicep curl type action during the squat while tensioning the resistancemember.

In some embodiments, the resistance member may be used to increase theload on the muscles during the squat. In one embodiment, the user maywrap the ends of the resistance member around the shoulders from theback of the body to the front such that the resistance member is pulledin tension as the user rises up from a squat position. The user may lockthe resistance member in place around the shoulders by slightlyelevating the elbows. The user may then descend into the squat position,with the resistance member providing increased tension on the muscles.

In addition to training the muscles of the lower body, the exerciseapparatus may be used to train muscles of the upper body. In someembodiments, tensioning the resistance member during the squattingmovement causes the muscles of the upper body to flex, thereby trainingthe muscles of the lower and upper body at the same time. In someembodiments, when the user returns to an upright position following asquat, the user may continue to pull the hand grips of the resistancemember upwardly away from the support to train certain muscles of theupper body. As such, the user may perform an upper body exercisefollowing the squat. Many different types of upper body exercises arepossible, including, but not limited to: a bicep curl, clean and jerk,triceps extension, triceps kickbacks, triceps curl, lateral raise, andany other suitable upper body exercise. In some embodiments, a user mayalternate between squats and upper body exercises while remaining onsupport 10 with the heels slanted upwardly.

Alternatively or in addition, the exercise apparatus may be used forcalf exercises such as toe raises. During a toe raise, as shown in FIG.3A, a user may stand on the surface 12 of the support 10 such that thetoes of the feet are pointed in an upward direction. The user may thenraise the heels, which flexes the calf muscle. During the toe raise, theuser holds onto and pulls the resistance member 30 for balance andsupport. In some cases, the resistance member 30 may provide increasedtension to the calf muscles. Alternatively or in addition, in somecases, the resistance member 30 may provide tension to the arm musclesto train the muscles in the arms at the same time as the calf muscles.In some embodiments, the user's palms face outwardly away from the bodywhile pulling the resistance member during the toe raise exercise and donot rotate. In some embodiments, the user may rotate the wrists whilepulling the resistance member during the toe raise exercise.

According to another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatusincludes a support 10 with a length of surface 12 that is less than thelength of the user's shoe or foot. During a squat, arranging a portionof the heels of the user to hang freely over the top edge of surface 12may be more comfortable for the user and assist in maintaining properform. In some cases, an overhang distance of the heels allows the heelsto pivot slightly during the squat, allowing the user to sense thebody's center of gravity, which may help the user to maintain balance.

For a squat, the length of surface 12 of support 10 permits a portion ofthe user's heels to extend beyond the top edge 41 of surface 12 while aportion of the toes extend beyond the bottom edge 14 of surface when theuser stands on the support. As shown in FIG. 4, surface 12 has a lengthS that extends from the bottom edge 14 to the top edge 41. In someembodiments, the length S is less than the length of the average humanadult foot or shoe size. In some embodiments, the length S may be 3 to3.5 inches. In one embodiment, the length S is 3.125 inches. In oneembodiment, the length S may be adjustable by the user. In otherembodiments, the length S is fixed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the surface 12 may be dimensioned suchthat a portion of the heels of the user extend beyond the top edge 41 bya heel extension distance D1, while a portion of the toes of the userextend beyond the bottom edge 14 by a toe extension distance D2. In someembodiments, the heel extension distance D1 is equal to a percentage ofthe length of the user's foot. In some embodiments, the heel extensiondistance D1 equals 15 to 40 percent of the length of the user's foot. Insome embodiments, the heel extension distance D1 equals 20 to 35 percentof the length of the user's foot. In some embodiments, the heelextension distance D1 equals 25 percent of the length of the user'sfoot. In some embodiments, depending on the length of the user's foot,the heel extension distance D1 may be 1 to 3.25 inches. In someembodiments, the toe extension distance D2 may be 3.5 to 6 inches.

For toe raises, as shown in FIG. 3A, the length of the surface 12 may bedimensioned such that a portion of the user's toes extend beyond the topedge 41 of the top surface 12 by a toe extension distance D3, while theheels extend beyond the bottom edge 14 by a heel extension distance D4when the user stands on surface 12. In some embodiments, the toeextension distance D3 is equal to a percentage of the length of theuser's foot. In some embodiments, the toe extension distance D3 equals15 to 40 percent of the length of the user's foot. In some embodiments,the toe extension distance D3 equals 20 to 35 percent of the length ofthe user's foot. In some embodiments, toe extension distance D3 equals25 percent of the length of the user's foot. In some embodiments, theuser may stand on support 10 such that the ball of the foot ispositioned at or near the top edge 41. In some embodiments, depending onthe length of the user's foot, the toe extension distance D3 may be 1 to3.25 inches. In some embodiments, the heel extension distance D4 may be3.5 to 6 inches. The dimensions of support 10 may permit the exerciseapparatus to have a compact size for portability and storage. As shownin FIG. 4, support 10 has a height H and a width W. In some embodiments,the height H may depend upon and vary with the incline angle θ and/orthe length S of top surface 12. In some embodiments, the height H may be1.5 to 2.5 inches. In one embodiment, the height H is 2.125 inches. Insome embodiments, the width W may be 3.25 to 3.75 inches. In oneembodiment, the width W is 3.5 inches. As shown in FIG. 1A, the support10 may have any suitable length L, as this aspect is not limited in thisregard. In some embodiments, length L is longer than the width of aperson's hips or shoulders to permit a user to comfortably place theirfeet hip-width or shoulder-width apart on the support. However, in someembodiments, the length L may be only slightly longer than the width ofa user's single foot or shoe. In these embodiments, the apparatus may beused for exercises such as single leg squats. In some embodiments, thelength L may be small enough to permit the exercise apparatus 1 to fitwithin carry-on luggage or a duffel bag for easy storage and/orportability. In some embodiments, the length L may be 21.5 to 23.5inches. In some embodiments, the length L may be 22 inches.

The above described support may be made with wood, metal, plastic,ceramic, wood-plastic composite, wood-like composite, any suitablecomposite, or any other suitable material, as this aspect is not limitedin this regard.

In some embodiments, the exercise apparatus may be custom designed tobest fit the user, or, in other embodiments, one exercise apparatuscould be designed for smaller people and children, while anotherexercise apparatus could be designed for larger people.

In some embodiments, the exercise apparatus may be provided in a kitwith a plurality of resistance members that have different lengthsand/or resistances. In another embodiment, each exercise apparatus maybe provided with one or two resistance members of the same type ratherthan a kit of a plurality of different types of resistance members.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations,modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled inthe art. Such alterations, modification, and improvements are intendedto be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description anddrawings are by way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a supportcomprising an inclined top surface, the inclined top surface having atop edge and a bottom edge; and at least one resistance member having ahand grip, wherein the support is constructed and arranged to restrain aportion of the resistance member.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the support includes a channel that extends through thesupport; and the channel is constructed and arranged to receive theportion of the resistance member.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the support includes an empty space beneath the top surface;and the empty space is constructed and arranged to receive the portionof the resistance member.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe top surface of the support has a length from the top edge to thebottom edge, the length being such that during use at least a portion ofa user's heels extend beyond the top edge while at least a portion ofthe user's toes extend beyond the bottom edge when the user stands onthe top surface.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the topsurface has a length from the top edge to the bottom edge, the lengthbeing 3 to 3.5 inches.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein thelength of the top surface is 3.125 inches.
 7. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the top surface forms an incline angle of 22 to 25degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.
 8. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the angle is 22.5 degrees.
 9. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one resistance member has a resistance of5 to 60 pounds.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein theresistance member is anchored to the support.
 11. An exercise apparatusconsisting essentially of: a support having an inclined top surface; anda resistance member having two hand grips, wherein the support isconstructed and arranged to restrain a portion of the resistance member.12. A method of exercising, comprising: providing a support on ahorizontal plane, the support having a top surface that forms an anglewith respect to the horizontal plane, the top surface having a bottomedge and a top edge; placing at least one foot upon the top surface suchthat a heel of the at least one foot points in an upward direction;holding onto a hand grip of at least one resistance member by hand;moving to a squat position from an upright position, then returning toan upright position, while the at least one foot remains on the support.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one foot is placed uponthe support such that at least a portion of the heel extends past thetop edge of the top surface by a heel extension distance.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the heel extension distance equals 15 to 40 percentof a length of the at least one foot.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the heel extension distance equals 25 percent of the length ofthe at least one foot.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first andsecond feet are placed upon the top surface such that at least a portionof the toes extend beyond the bottom edge of the top surface.
 17. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising pulling the at least oneresistance member upwardly by hand away from the support.
 18. The methodof claim 12, further comprising performing an upper body exercise withthe at least one resistance member.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising performing a bicep curl with the at least one resistancemember.
 20. A method of exercising, comprising: providing a support on ahorizontal plane, the support having a top surface that forms an anglewith respect to the horizontal plane, the top surface having a bottomedge and a top edge; placing at least one foot upon the support suchthat toes of the at least one foot point upwardly; holding onto a handgrip of at least one resistance member by hand; raising a heel of the atleast one foot; and holding onto the hand grip of the at least oneresistance member by hand while raising the heel.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the at least one foot is placed upon the support suchthat at least a portion of the heel extends past the bottom edge of thetop surface while at least a portion of the toes extend past the topedge of the top surface.